Moldovans likely to pay subscription fees for to public radio, TV channel
Moldovans are likely to pay subscription fees to the public TV channel Moldova One and Radio Moldova, which are presently financed from the state budget.
This is stipulated in the strategy of developing the public broadcasting company Teleradio-Moldova in 2010-2015. The document was signed in Chisinau today by the head of the Teleradio-Moldova Company, Constantin Marin, the director of Moldova One, Angela Sirbu, the director of Radio Moldova, Alexandru Dorogan, and an expert of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), Boris Bergant.
Constantin Marin told a news conference that "only a system of mandatory fees can ensure the editorial independence and effective management autonomy of the public service. This goal can be met only by a political decision. However, 50 radio stations and TV channels out of the 58 public broadcasting institutions that are EBU members are financed through subscription fees," Marin said.
For her part, Angela Sirbu said that an opinion poll would be carried out to find out people's opinion on the matter. She noted that if implemented, the fees would be symbolical.
Boris Bergant said that "Moldova deserves high-quality public radio and TV channels." He added that signs of change appeared with the new leadership of the company.
The strategy also stipulates the opening of another TV channel, Moldova Two and of two radio stations, full on-line transmission, the implementation of the teletext service and the opening of new TV and radio stations broadcasting culture, youth issues and news and a TV channel broadcasting only movies. Constantin Marin said that 7-10 million euros was necessary to carry out the strategy, with proceeds due to be received from EBU grants and other external donors.
Moldova has been a member of the European Broadcasting Union since 1992.
Moldpres
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